Charles Bishop wrote:
I have a recessed fixture I'd like to convert to a surface mount
fixture.

1. I'd remove the bulb and screw in a plug adaptor into the socket.
Then
(power's off of course) plug in the male end of a extension cord, cut to
about 6 inches with the two ends stripped. Attach these two ends to the
leads for the fixture, keeping polarity. Then attach the fixture to the
ceiling and Bob's my uncle.

Anything wrong with this? I'd like to avoid removing the recessed
fixture
and doing the work that entails.

If that's no good, how about

2. Power off. I remove the adjustable part of the can, with the socket
and disconnect the power wires from the socket. I use these wires to
connect with the leads from the surface mount fixture and then proceed
as
in 1. Can the recessed fixture act as a jct box with no other
modification?



why not remove the can light and then replace it with a ceiling box and
fan support? Those can be installed through a hole in the ceiling
little bigger than the box itself, and will provide a 100% proper
installation.



Because it's in a ceiling that is expanded metal lath on steel supports,
not the usual joists. I'd like to avoid the additional work and expense of
removing the entire unit.



So a potential fire hazard is more desirable?!! The recessed light should
already have a built-in junction box on it. Remove the can and the cable to
the can. Open up the recessed light junction box and disconnect the wires
that fed the can and remove them. There should be additional knockouts in
the junction box. Install a Romex connector in one of them and put a short
piece of 14/2 Romex into the junction box. Connect the ground wire and the
white and black and then close the box up.

Get a piece of 2" x 4" and slide it up into the opening and let it rest on
the metal lathe. Get a 4" round metal electrical box and install a Romex
connector in a side knockout. Bring the other end of the 14/2 Romex into
the round box and ground the box. Then mount it to the 2" x 4" in the
ceiling using wood or sheet metal screws. Now you can mount a light fixture
to the box using a ceiling medallion to cover the large opening from the
recessed light.

This advice may not suit your situation exactly so feel free to improvise.
The main thing is that the junction box from the existing recessed light
must remain accessible without having to tear open the ceiling.